Everyone knows the mantra "good things come in small packages" and this is certainly the case for the wallywhy150, which debuted at the Cannes Yachting Festival 2023. Following the success of the wallywhy200 in 2021, the newer wallywhy150 model challenges what is possible in a sub-24-metre yacht, offering versatility that allows it to function as a family boat, dayboat or chase boat.
“What we’re doing is offering those same features of the bigger vessel but in a smaller package, with design decisions that have created a unique and, ultimately, highly liveable 23.9-metre motor yacht with unparalleled interior and exterior spaces and a layout that will be envied by everyone who sees her,” says Stefano de Vivo, managing director of Italian shipyard Wally, a brand of the Ferretti Group. “We didn’t see the smaller volume as a compromise, but rather a challenge and a new way to innovate. At 150GT, the wallywhy150 is actually a true ‘space-ship’, pushing into new frontiers for a sub-24-metre yacht.”
Flexible accommodations
The forward master cabin on the main deck, located at the bow, takes everything the wallywhy200 offers and slides it into the smaller 150 with barely a hint of compromise. The double bed still gets walkaround space and benefits from sweeping 270-degree panoramic views.
Below deck, there are flexible accommodation options to suit various needs. Owners can choose between a configuration that includes a VIP double, guest double and guest twin, or opt for two VIP cabins. Regardless of the layout, all cabins are designed to maximise comfort, featuring natural light and views from the extensive glazing in the hull and superstructure, ensuring an airy and open feel throughout the yacht.
“A lot of clients who visited the wallywhy200 were very surprised by the volume you get inside, the usability and the shock of the exterior space,” says Luca Bassani, founder and chief designer at Wally. “We believe the wallywhy150, because of what it offers for a 23.9-metre yacht, will garner an even stronger reaction.”
Spacious saloons
Designed by Studio Vallicelli Design, the interior is split into a lower and upper saloon. The standard layout places the sofa on the upper level and the dining area on the lower level, but owners have the freedom to configure this space in various ways, including choosing the materials and finishes. An open-plan galley is also an option to further open up the space.
The aft cockpit connects with the lower saloon, creating an ”indoor-outdoor” terrace that caters to modern yachting trends. The hydraulic aft platform is a versatile feature, capable of being lowered for tender launching or as a submerged beach and swim platform. The design not only accommodates a variety of water toys but also a 3.9-metre tender. "Stoppers" can be raised to separate the lowering aft portion of the terrace from the forward part, providing a seaworthy barrier when cruising while allowing unrestricted water access when at anchor.
“The terrace-on-the sea is as ingrained in Wally’s DNA as carbon fibre,” explains Bassani. “It’s challenging to design because you are near the water and there’s a lot of engineering that has to be completed to ensure it’s a safe space that won’t get flooded, but our experience comes to the fore in that regard and it’s a feature that is superbly designed and executed on the wallywhy150.”
Moving upwards, the wallywhy150 boasts an open-air saloon that runs nearly the entire length of the yacht. The space is designed to be multifunctional, serving as part sundeck, part chill lounge and part party space. The trademark angular hardtop provides shade and weather protection, ensuring comfort in various weather conditions. This upper deck area is connected to the “stealth-style” glass raised pilothouse.
“Wally design always follows function, so the pilothouse’s angular design, which is reminiscent of the wallypower range – the original wallypower118, in particular – is a consequence of the T-top and is almost a happy coincidence,” Bassani adds. “But when you use the same kind of shapes, you end up with the same kind of solutions, and that’s also why we have chosen a similar colour to the 118. It’s a little bit of an homage to that iconic design.”
“The structure has to be very well thought out because it’s basically a glass cage, but you also have to consider the piping and cable runs, air-conditioning ducting and other technical elements that have to be incorporated,” says de Vivo. “There’s a lot of planning and engineering design that goes into it and the reality is also that we are using glass of a thickness you would typically find on a 50- or 60-metre yacht, which confers exceptional strength to the structure. That is not typical for a sub-24-metre boat.”
Advanced engineering and performance
Wally draws on its experience in developing ultra-lightweight and geometrically complex sailing and motor yachts, and the expertise of the Ferretti Group Engineering Department.
“She’s extremely stable and that’s mostly down to her hull shape, but also down to her construction, which uses carbon up top to reduce weight aloft,” Bassani says. “Of course, she is also offered with stabilisation to ensure comfort both underway and at rest.”
In terms of performance, the wallywhy150 offers a range of approximately 400 miles at cruising speed. The yacht is powered by optional triple Volvo Penta IPS1350s, enabling a top speed of 23 knots. The standard configuration with Volvo Penta IPS 1200s delivers a top speed of 21 knots.
For more information on the wallywhy150, contact the team at Wally today.
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